Crew hold on to win 2-1. Mad Dog sighting! I'm not the first to say it, but I'm happy that with our mid-season signings we actually can look forward to the players who come in off the bench. (Not that we were all that impressive in the final quarter of the match.)
My liver will go on! Great game by Clark, Kei, Harrison, and probably some other folks. We needed these three points to prove that we're legit for the playoffs. Me likey. Imma go pass out now.
Kamara is the first (and only other) Crew player to have 20 regular season goals since Stern John had 26 in 1998. The only others with over 15 were John (18 in '99), McBride (17 in '96) and Cunningham (16 in '02). This season is an outlier by a long shot.
Considering McCarthy with his head gear looked like Karl from An Idiot Abroad, it's good we didn't lose.
Our attack is so damn predictable, though. It is a serious weakness against a team that is worth a damn. I'm not sure how we make it to the conference finals of the playoffs without more variety.
Looks like some serious air-brushing going on to get the naughty bits out of that photo. Looked good in the first half, not so good in the second. Great to finally see Pogatetz!
I said it after the first five minutes in his debut, and I've said it every game since, but goddamnit I'm gonna say it again: Harrison Afful is the best full back in the league, full stop. He's just a beast, pure and simple, and when combined with Francis, it's the best duo in the league. So exciting to have so many good players in the team. I really liked Higuain tonight. I've been critical of him a lot this season, and rightfully so IMO. Tonight though, and over the last month or so, he's been much better. Earlier in the season, it was like he was trying to copy Trapp. He would get the ball in the middle third, take ten touches, and either pass it five yards, and just hit a big lazy ball to the other side of the field. And after that, he would just walk around and stay in the middle third of the field. But tonight his movement was excellent, as was the speed of his decision making. He was taking two or three touches, and moving the ball quickly, looking to get rid of it and move. When he plays this way, and also gets forward into the final third, instead of being a lazy bum in the center circle all match, we are a vastly superior team. Hope he keeps up the good effort the rest of the season. Kamara.... I won't say I'm not surprised he's scored 20 goals, cause I am. However, looking back at the end of last season and the start of this one, I'm still surprised some people thought he wouldn't be effective in this league. Sure, he was a dud in England, but he's been a very good player in MLS for 5+ seasons now. The year he's having though, beyond my wildest dreams for sure. Unbelievable year from Kei. Cedrick was active off the bench, loved how he was constantly putting the Philly defenders under pressure when they were on the ball, caused a couple turnovers. Great to get a win on the road, even if it is just Philly.
That final-ish play by Poga to keep whomever the ******** off the ball was delicious. Why that dude not play more, bro?
The Crew's first half had to have been one of their best this year. Props to Clark for stepping up and having a big game. Without an excellent game from him, the Crew might have lost 3 or 4 or 5 to 2. McCarthy also played well or the Crew might have had a few more goals. Kamara obviously had a good game, so did Higuain. His ability to trap the outlet pass was outstanding. Not sexy, but it sure helped the Crew to maintain possession. Afful also stood out in the first half. I blame lazy defending from Waylon Francis for the Sapong goal. IMO, Francis is a big reason for the Crew's large goals conceded number. It didn't help that the whole team seemed to have taken the foot off the gas a bit. They were a bit better after conceding. Finlay was largely missing for the second game in a row. He did not get a chance this time to show the late burst of energy that he did in the Dallas game.
I also wanted to strangle Meram when he hit that shot off the post - if he doesn't give up immediately after shooting, that ball came right back to him and he taps it in for our 3rd goal. But no - hits the ball and then throws his hands in the air while it bounces back towards him. Get him off the damn field.
Was Francis a bit lazy? Yeah. But what about Tchani? He's in there for two reasons, 1) to get the ball in midfield, hold guys off, and move it forward, and 2) defensive physicality. He could have easily booted the ball into the stands, but instead appeared to just jog over to it and assume he'd be able to make a nice easy turn in his own area. Cause, ya know, not like the other team would try to get the ball in that position. That would be crazy. Le Toux blasts him off the ball, and Tchani has the nerve to throw his hands up with the "what the hell was that you guys?" look. And you can see Parkhurst start to come across, but then sees Tchani SHOULD have the situation covered. He starts to back off, and once Tchani blows it, its a total no mans land situation. I put the blame on Tchani.
I don't know who it was but someone said in the post game thread from the Dallas disaster that Clark doesn't make big saves. You should eat your words after tonight. Tchani was to blame for the goal, totally outclassed there.
That guy was wrong when he said it anyways. Clark has games where he's not that great, last week included. But he's kept us in games despite our leaky defense many times this year, and was solid last year as well.
I gave you rep for the everything but the last line. I agree completely about the shot, but as someone who is very critical of him..I will admit I thought he played a very solid game tonight on both ends of the field.
I disagree - none of his passes amounted to anything, his dribbling ran him into multiple defenders to which he lost the ball, he gave up on the shot that hit the post... I saw nothing from him tonight that makes me want him to start over Cedrick. Good 'ole 33% Effort Meram.
I think he tried harder tonight than he typically has this season. He's just not that good. I think cedrick should start over him, but I didn't think Meram was that bad tonight.
Tchani was the problem on Philly's goal. He has to clear that at a minimum, but instead gets muscled off the ball and gives up inside position. Tchani was the problem there, 100%.
Yeah, I did notice Meram putting in a bit more effort than usual tonight defensively, but I agree I prefer Cedrick. Cedrick's defensive hustle off the bench tonight was very impressive.
I didn't overtly hate his presence as I have before, but I didn't see nearly enough that makes me want Cedrick any less.
Nobody has complimented him yet, so I'll give big props to Berhalter for the 3 subs. I strongly agreed with all 3 of them.
I thought the personnel brought on was good, but he waited too long to make the first. You could smell Philli's goal coming a mile away. We were extremely lackluster and careless. No energy. We needed a 60' spark. Meram should have come out then. I think he needed to be taken out over Finlay, although Finlay wasn't playing well by that point either. Higuain and Finlay were on different pages the second half. That said, the subs were what the team needed to finish off a win on the road. Still no Kei hat-trick.
I was sad that Kei still hasn't gotten a hat this season. He's been like an orthodontist, dropping braces on everyone.
What the MLS record for most braces in a season with no hat trick? Kei has to be setting that mark so far. I think that's 6 for him.